My heart stopped beating. I was waiting to relieve myself in the loos of a popular pub on Friday night when one of the group of young women mingling in there, adjusting their eyelashes, asked the dreaded question of her assembled mates... ‘Does this dress really look alright on me?’ I glanced over and held my breath, sincerely hoping her friends would be gentle with her.

Truth is she wasn’t looking great simply because her dress was far too tight. Sadly, one of them did suggest that she’d look better wearing a bigger size since she was a bit bulgy in places.

Over the years I have learnt that if you are asked for any advice out shopping or at home before an event, that’s the time to tactfully suggest your friend might want to try a size larger, that she might want something less frilly (think of the ironing) or that she always looks fabulous in her black dress. However, if such questions are posed when out with a friend who is physically inside her wardrobe error, don’t utter anything even slightly negative. Just tell her she looks wonderful and put her off wearing it again.

Otherwise it will lead to tears, a spoilt evening and possibly a battered friendship. I didn’t hang around to see how the lady in the loo coped with the criticism of her outfit. I assumed it would be too painful. One thing we’re all fixated on when buying clothes is the size that’s printed on the label. It’s devastating to not fit into an item of clothing with the right label sewn in it.

This is ridiculous and we all need to get over it. I’ve learnt that I vary so much from shop to shop that I have no real clue what my true size is. All I do know is that despite being a few pounds heavier than I was 30 years ago, my clothes now bizarrely boast smaller size labels than they did in the 80s. Not sure how that works, but sure, yes, ridiculously it makes me feel good. Telling a friend that she doesn’t fit her clothes well is tough, though maybe not as bad as suggesting she could do with a better bra.

I have an aunt, I’ve mentioned her before, she’s around my age and is infamous for removing items of clothing when out drinking – dipping pop socks into pints being a speciality.

She has become an expert at delivering the opinion that it might be time for a firmer bra.

Apparently, it’s all about getting the timing right. Making jokes about black eyes when she’s bouncing around on the dance floor is not the moment.

It’s never easy to hear this kind of thing, you may feel really upset at the time, but remember not to shoot the messenger. The advice is invariably delivered with love and you may even be eternally grateful for it.

And if you don’t like the size that’s printed on the label of anything in your wardrobe, simply cut it out. Problem solved.